34 ] How to Understand the Birds 



redwinged blackbird, and cedar waxwing, braving the northern 

 winter. 



SKY LANES OF THE BIRDS 



Because the expressions "traveling north" or "flying south" 

 are used repeatedly, children are apt to believe that the birds 

 migrate unfailingly in these directions. However, this is not an 

 accurate picture, as some fly southeast, others southwest. Certain 

 species have followed fixed travel routes until they have become 

 well-defined pathways, or sky lanes, for these birds. Some travel 

 north by one route and return south by another, perhaps leading 

 over an entirely different part of the country. Or else one route 

 may be over land and the return route over water. The golden 

 plover is an interesting example of these birds that have a "double 

 migration route." In the spring it travels from South America to 

 Labrador in as direct a line as possible, through the middle of 

 the North American continent. In the fall it goes eastward to the 

 Atlantic, and much of its return flight is over water. On this 

 longer course it must fly 2,400 miles. 



FLYING HOURS 



There are also variations in the time of day for migratory 

 flight. Some birds are on the wing by day, others by night, while 

 still others are active day and night. Warblers, thrushes, and wood- 

 cocks are among the night fliers; geese, crows, swallows, robins, 

 hummingbirds, blue jays, and bluebirds are a few of the daytime 

 travelers. As for ducks, you may see them on the wing day or night. 



How FAST Do BIRDS FLY? 



Long ago, birds were credited with a speed that approaches 

 the speed of a modern airplane. The theory was that most birds 

 performed the greater part of their journey in one night! In 

 recent times the speed of many birds has been "clocked" accurately 

 with the aid of airplanes and motorcars. We now know that a 

 hundred miles an hour is an exceptionally fast rate, achieved by 

 only a few birds, such as certain swifts. 



In making their migratory flights most birds apparently move 



